Is the Speaker of the House the same as the majority leader?
|
February 24, 2013 | Clip Of History of Congressional Leadership Show
User-Created Clip Georgetown University Senior Fellow John Haskell talked about the differences between the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader. Report Video Issue *This text was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning. Related Video
User Created Clips from This Video
General Information about the General Assembly: 76-1 The leadership positions in the General Assembly consist of members of the Legislature chosen at their respective party caucuses shortly after election day every second year. The Senate leadership posts filled in this manner include the President of the Senate, President Pro Tempore, Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Leaders, Minority Leader, and Assistant Minority Leaders. The House leadership posts filled in this manner include the Speaker of the House, Speaker Pro Tempore, Majority Leader, Assistant Majority Leaders, Minority Leader, and Assistant Minority Leaders. The caucus selections for Senate President and President Pro Tempore, and House Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore are ratified by the proper chamber on the first day of session. President of the SenateThe President of the Senate is the presiding officer of the Senate. The President is chosen by majority party members at a pre-session caucus and is then formally elected by the entire membership of the Senate at its opening session. The President serves a two-year term.During session, the President presides over debate and rules on parliamentary questions. The President appoints Senate members to various statutory boards and commissions after consultation with the Senate majority and minority leaders. The President's administrative duties also include referring bills to the appropriate standing committee, signing bills approved by the General Assembly, overseeing the administrative budget of the Senate and co-signing all vouchers for Senate expenditures, with the Majority Leader. The Office of the President of the Senate is located directly behind the Senate chamber. The President is assisted by an administrative assistant and a secretary. Speaker of the HouseThe Speaker of the House is the presiding and chief administrative officer of the House of Representatives. Traditionally, the Speaker is chosen by majority party members at a pre-session caucus and is then formally elected by the entire membership of the House at its opening session. The Speaker serves a two-year term.During session, the Speaker presides over debate and rules on parliamentary questions. The Speaker oversees the construction of the legislative agenda and serves as the caucus' spokesperson in various forums. The Speaker, with the House Majority Leader, structures the Chamber agenda. The Speaker oversees the Majority Caucus Staff. The Speaker appoints all committee chairs and majority party members of standing and conference committees, and appoints House members to various statutory boards and commissions. The Speaker also appoints minority party members to committees in consultation with the House Minority Leader. The Speaker's administrative duties also include referring bills to the appropriate standing committee, determinint the standing committee schedule, signing bills approved by the General Assembly, overseeing the administrative budget of the House and approving all vouchers for House expenditures. Traditionally, the Speaker also serves as chairperson of the Legislative Council in alternate terms with the Senate Majority Leader. The Office of the Speaker of the House is located directly behind the House Chamber, adjacent to the House Majority Leader's office. The Speaker is assisted by two administrative assistants and a secretary. President Pro TemporeThe President Pro Tempore of the Senate is selected by the majority party caucus. The duties of this office are primarily to fill the role of President of the Senate in the absence of the President. The President Pro Tempore is a member of the Legislative Council by law and of the majority party leadership team by tradition.Speaker Pro TemporeThe Speaker Pro Tempore of the House is selected by the majority party caucus. The duties of this office are primarily to fill the role of presiding officer of the House in the absence of the Speaker of the House. The Speaker Pro Tempore is a member of the Legislative Council by law, and of the majority party leadership team by tradition.Senate Majority LeaderThe Majority Leader of the Senate is selected by the majority party caucus. The Majority Leader serves as the leader of the majority party in the chamber, oversees the construction of a legislative agenda, serves as the caucus' spokesperson in various forums, and oversees the Majority Caucus Staff. The Majority Leader also structures the chamber agenda and leads action on the floor by selecting which items to call up for debate. The Senate Majority Leader issues debate and committee schedules. The Senate Majority Leader is also responsible for assigning majority party members to regular, interim, and special committees and determining the members who will serve as committee chairpersons and vice chairpersons. After consultation with the President of the Senate, the Senate Majority Leader designates the chairperson and vice chairperson of each standing committee. The Majority Leader is also assigned other duties by statue, rules, and precedent. By precedent, the Majority Leader serves as the chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee. By statute, the Majority Leader and the Senate President must approve expense and travel requests before they are paid. Finally, the Majority Leader is a statutory member of the Legislative Council. By tradition, the Senate Majority Leader serves as Chairperson of the Legislative Council in alternate terms with the Speaker of the House.The Senate Majority Leader's office is located on the mezzanine level above and behind the Senate Chamber. The majority leader is assisted by two administrative assistants. House Majority LeaderThe Majority Leader of the House is selected by the majority party caucus. The Majority Leader serves as the floor leader of the majority party in the chamber and with the Speaker serves as the caucus spokesperson in various forums. The Majority Leader, with the Speaker, also structures the chamber agenda and leads action on the floor by selecting which items to call up for debate. Weekly debate calendars originate from the House Majority Leader's office. The Majority Leader is a statutory member of the Legislative Council.The House Majority Leader's office is located directly behind the house Chamber. The Majority Leader is assisted by an administrative assistant and a secretary. Senate and House Minority LeadersThe Minority Leaders of the Senate and House are selected by the minority party members of their respective chambers. The Minority Leaders serve as the leaders of the minority party, represent the minority parties' views in the agenda-setting process, preside at caucuses, serve as spokespersons for their caucuses in various forums, and oversee the work of chambers' Minority Caucus Staff. The Minority Leaders are also responsible for following action on the floor to facilitate debate and to ensure the minority parties' views are presented. The House Minority Leader is responsible for recommending minority party members to the Speaker for appointment to regular, interim, special and statutory committees and members to serve as ranking members on committees. The Senate Minority Leader appoints minority members to committees after consultation with the President of the Senate. The Senate Minority Leader also serves as the ranking member of the Rules and Administration Committee. By statute, the Minority Leaders serve as members of the Legislative Council make some appointments to statutory committees. The Minority Leaders may serve on other standing committees.The Senate Minority Leader's office is located on the mezzanine level above and behind the Senate. The House Minority Leader's office is located above the House Lounge. Each leader is assisted by an administrative assistant and a secretary as well as their chambers' Minority Caucus Staff. Senate and House Assistant LeadersAssistant Majority Leaders are selected by the majority party caucus in each chamber while Assistant Minority Leaders are selected by the minority party caucus in each chamber. The duties of the Assistant Leaders are largely defined by the Majority and Minority Leaders. Most often, the duties involve serving in the absence of the Majority or Minority Leader. Typically, Assistant Leaders poll caucus members on the floor before major votes. They meet on a regular basis with other legislative leaders of that party and chamber and their own staff members to assist in the development of their party's session agenda.
© 1995 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa Comments? Last update: 1995 What is the difference between majority leader and Speaker of the House?The majority leader is second-in-command to the Speaker of the House.
Is the Speaker of the House the majority?The speaker in the United States, by tradition, is the head of the majority party in the House of Representatives, outranking the majority leader.
Who is the majority leader in the House?Rep. Nancy Pelosi
The Speaker of the House is second in line to succeed the President, after the Vice President.
Who are the majority leaders?Current floor leaders
The Senate is currently composed of 50 Republicans, 48 Democrats, and 2 independents, both of whom caucus with the Democrats. The current leaders are Senators Chuck Schumer (D) of New York and Mitch McConnell (R) of Kentucky.
|
